Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – Special 2024 Year In Review 

Touring Delta Springs Farm in Mount Solon, a third-generation family farm that produces several commodities including cattle and uses innovative technologies like crop spraying drones.

Touring Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, a farm that produces specialty cut flowers for nationwide shipment and local pickup and delivery.

Touring Glaize Apples in Winchester, a fourth-generation orchard in the Shenandoah Valley that distributes fresh apples locally, regionally, and nationally.

Touring Virginia Tech’s Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, a research center in Winchester that serves Virginia’s horticultural fruit industries with their efforts in developing tools and technologies that enhance sustainability and support our commercial producers.

Touring Gore’s Meats in Stephens City, a family-owned small business that has an entire wholesale operation and has helped feed families meat in the Shenandoah Valley for 60 years.

Touring McNett Farms in Crimora, a first-generation farm that produces several commodities including goats for 4-H livestock shows and cattle.

On the first day, I visited the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House, Friendship Richfield Living, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at the Virginia Tech Carilion Center, and the Clinic Center for Simulation, Research, and Patient Safety. On the second day, I visited Augusta Health in Fishersville and James Madison University’s Nursing Program. I concluded the tour by meeting with representatives from the Shenandoah Community Health Center, as well as individuals from Shenandoah University’s Health Professions School and the Valley Health Winchester Medical Center.

Additionally, I held my annual Higher Education Roundtable at Hollins University in Roanoke. I have long believed that no family or student should worry that attending college or university will break the bank, rack up mountains of debt, or fail to prepare them for good-paying jobs in the real world. With more than 20 colleges and universities across Virginia’s Sixth District, we need to do the hard work of finding solutions to improve student performance, boost post-graduation job placement, and keep tuition affordable.

I had a great time stopping by the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center in Winchester for “Take Your Legislator to School Month.”  Engaging with our nation’s future generation of leaders has always been a cherished opportunity for me—whether reading to students, discussing government in classrooms, or speaking at school events. It brings me immense pride to connect with our remarkable young people, and I look forward to meeting even more of them in the coming year.

I visited Shelburne Middle School in Staunton to tour their newly renovated CTE space.

I spoke to an American government class at Eastern Mennonite University.

I had a great time speaking to the AP Government class at Turner Ashby High School last March.

I had the honor of presenting a plaque from the Congressional Record to World War II veteran Leland Teets in Stephens City, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year.

I had the privilege of presenting a Congressional Record plaque to the Vinton First Aid Junior Crew in celebration of their 50th anniversary.

I had the honor of presenting a Congressional Record plaque to U.S. Marine Corps veteran Terri Tulley for her incredible achievements.

I presented the Salem Rescue Squad with a commemorative plaque recognizing the squad winning the 2023 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year award.

I congratulated the Strasburg High School Wrestling Team for winning the VHSL Class 2 State championship.

I presented a plaque of the Congressional Record to WFIR radio in celebration of their 100th anniversary.

I met with a group of small business owners in Winchester to discuss policies Congress can implement to alleviate the pain small businesses have been feeling the past three years due to inflation, burdensome regulations, and high taxes.

Touring InterChange’s facility in Mount Crawford, led by President Devon Anders.

I had a great time stopping by Red Fox Creamery in Winchester in January.

I had the pleasure of visiting XFS Global’s manufacturing facility in Natural Bridge Station.

I toured Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which has had an incredible impact on the communities in VA-06.

It was great to tour UTS Systems in Fairfield and hear about the work done to support our military by folks in VA-06.

It was great to visit Virginia Eagle Distributing Company’s warehouse in Winchester.

I had the privilege of participating in Wreaths Across America Day at Winchester National Cemetery.

I had the distinct privilege of addressing the Veterans Day Ceremony in Grottoes.

I was honored to speak at the Winchester/Frederick County Veterans Council Memorial Day Observance.

I teamed up with James Madison University for the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.

I met with VA Sixth District representatives from the Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) to discuss ways to address the affordability of quality childcare in our local community.

I was pleased to meet with Amanda Adams from Roanoke, Joey and Emma Baldwin from Salem, and Essence Norwood from Stafford who are all members of the National Down Syndrome Society.

I enjoyed meeting with Garden Clubs of America and discussing the importance of protecting farmers and keeping our waters and communities clean.

I met with local representatives of the National Association of Realtors to discuss the challenges facing the market, including rising housing prices and our nation’s severely limited housing inventory.

I had a great time meeting with McKee Foods from Stuarts Draft and heard more about their work making little Debbie cakes and other high-quality bakery goods.

I had the privilege of meeting with Anthony Tongen and Benjamin Delp from James Madison University.